Meryl Streep Admits She Was “Terrified” to Work with This Actor & Director

Meryl Streep once opened up about feeling nervous working with Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks on the 2017 film The Post.

In an interview with The Jakarta Post, she described the experience as “terrifying and destabilising” due to Spielberg’s no-rehearsal approach and Hanks’ flawless on-set performance.

“Steven doesn’t rehearse, so that was completely terrifying and destabilising for me,” Streep explained. She also noted that Hanks’ professionalism added extra pressure:

“Tom never made a mistake, ever. He was always completely word-perfect and ready and on the balls of his feet. So it made me lean forward, step up and do my push-ups before I went on set.”

Despite her initial anxiety, Streep said the experience turned out to be very rewarding. “It was a happy group, because there were so many great actors and there was so little time in which to make this movie,” she said. She praised Spielberg’s skill, saying, “I’ve never, ever worked with anyone who has a more intuitive, sensate feel for how to construct a visual narrative.”

The Post tells the story of journalists at The Washington Post trying to publish the Pentagon Papers in 1971. Streep played publisher Katharine Graham, and Hanks played executive editor Ben Bradlee.

The film also starred Sarah Paulson, Bob Odenkirk, and Bradley Whitford. Directed by Spielberg, it was released in the U.S. in December 2017 and grossed $179 million worldwide. Critics praised the direction, performances, and historical accuracy. The film earned multiple award nominations, including Best Picture and Best Actress for Streep at the 90th Academy Awards.

Working alongside Spielberg and Hanks ultimately pushed Streep to deliver her best work, turning a nerve-wracking experience into a creative triumph.

It’s inspiring to see even the most seasoned actors like Meryl Streep feel nervous in high-pressure situations. It shows that talent and dedication can turn fear into excellence. What do you think about actors pushing themselves under pressure? Share your thoughts in the comments.